Cyclone Vardah has touched the coast of India's southern city of Chennai, according to local media reports.

There are visuals of high-velocity winds uprooting trees and causing gridlocks in the region. Over 560 trees have been uprooted in Chennai alone so far.

Around 16,000 people have been evacuated from the affected regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh -- two states in the south of India.

Earlier in the day, heavy rains lashed the city and north coastal districts of Tiruvallore and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, inundating low lying areas.

According to weathermen, winds with speeds of 100 - 110 kmph have hit the region.
Heavy rains and high-speed winds are expected to last for 12 hours, according to ANI.

Squally winds hit Chennai this morning as the very severe cyclonic storm approached Tamil Nadu. Power supply was suspended in many parts of these regions as a precautionary measure.

The rains intensified as the cyclone neared leading to waterlogging in many areas.

The Tamil Nadu government had declared holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, besides coastal taluks of Villupuram.

Rail and flight services here have been affected, officials said.
Around 25 incoming flights, including those from international destinations, were diverted to the nearby Hyderabad and Bangalore airports due to strong winds and poor visibility, airport officials said.

Nearly 25 outbound flights were delayed, officials said, adding that there was no inundation of the runway.

An emergency management team was on standby to meet any eventuality, they said.

The Southern Railways, meanwhile, announced suspension of services on the Chennai Beach and Velacherry MRTS route.

Similarly, suburban rail services on the MMC-Gummidipoondi line were also suspended until further notice. Some passenger trains coming to Chennai and leaving the city were also diverted.

The system was likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually while moving towards north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.

However, according to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department, (IMD), Vardah, which is currently, a very severe cyclonic storm, will weaken, but only to a severe cyclonic storm.

Over 15 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh which are on high alert due to the approaching cyclonic storm.

The armed forces have been asked to be on standby with the army, navy and air force prepared to be deployed anytime as and when required.

People in low-lying areas have been asked to move to safer zones.

Puducherry also experienced intermittent drizzle from early morning. The state government took precautionary steps to prevent tourists and other people from going close to the sea shore.

Police personnel were deployed on the entire two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach road and barricades were also put on all roads close to the sea shore. All schools and colleges are closed today.

This is why Cyclone 'Vardah' is named by Pakistan; 5 interesting facts
Cyclone Vardah with an expected speed 90kmph is expected to make a landfall in Tamil Nadu, Chennai on 12 December. As the storm approaches the coast, NDRF and Indian Navy have been put on high alert.

As Cyclone Vardah is all set to hit the Tamil Nadu coasts, here are some interesting facts bout Cyclone Vardah:

1. Cyclone 'Vardah has been named by Pakistan.

2. Vardah means 'Red Rose.'

3. Name of cyclones in the Indian Ocean Region are decided by member countries -- India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Maldives and Oman. The last cyclone that hit Chennai was 'Nada', a name suggested by Oman.

4. Every time a cyclone occurs, a name is picked in the order of the names submitted by these countries.

5. Other cyclones names given by Pakistan are Fanoos, Laila, Nilam, Titli and Bulbul.

With the help of ISRO, the state government is closely monitoring the cyclone to take preventive measures. The Met office said the cyclone has reached within the range of the Dopler Radar at Chennai, which will help in accurate predictions.http://www.catchnews.com/national-ne...481512215.html

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